Ten former NHL players filed a federal class action suit Monday against the league, alleging it has failed to protect players and inform them of the dangers of concussions and other head impacts – including those sustained in body checking and fights -- that can lead to brain impairment.

The legal action parallels concussion suits filed by more than 4,500 former NFL players against the NFL. A tentative $765 million settlement was reached in that litigation in August.

The suit seeks unspecified damages and the establishment of a court-supervised, NHL-funded medical monitoring system to diagnose and treat players, including a trust fund to monitor and treat them "as frequently as necessary."

The suit, which was filed in Washington, D.C., against the NHL and its board of governors, says scientific evidence has linked brain injuries to long-term neurological problems for decades.

"The NHL has known or should have known of this growing body of scientific evidence and its compelling conclusion that hockey players who sustain repetitive concussive events, sub-concussive events and/or brain injuries are at significantly greater risk for chronic neuro-cognitive illness and disabilities both during their hockey careers and later in life," the suit alleges.

Steven Silverman, attorney for the players, said, "The NHL still refuses to bar bareknuckle fighting or body-checking in spite of overwhelming evidence that both practices result in debilitating head injuries. Instead, the NHL prefers to continue employing and glorifying 'enforcers,' players whose primary role is to fight and violently body-check opposing players."

Gary Leeman is the most prominent name among the plaintiffs, who are from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

"While the subject matter is very serious, we are completely satisfied with the responsible manner in which the league and the Players' Association have managed player safety over time, including with respect to head injuries and concussions," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "We intend to defend the case vigorously and have no further comment at this time."

The NHLPA had no comment.

"I think we all saw this coming," said player agent Allan Walsh, who has been aggressively trying to raise awareness about the severity of the NHL concussion frequency. "The NHL commenced its concussions program 16 years ago and took no affirmative steps to protect players until 2011. All we ever heard from the NHL was 'more studies are needed' and 'we are the first sports league to have a working concussion study group.'"

Walsh said he expects to see a "steady flow" of players seeking to join the class action litigation and similar lawsuits that will probably soon be filed in other jurisdictions.

He said "alarm bells" for the issues have been sounding for years.

"Take a look at the NHL players forced to end their careers early due to the lingering effects of concussions. Look at the players suffering from some form of permanent impaired brain function," Walsh said. "Were the risks ignored? Could the NHL have taken action to prevent needless harm to players? Did the NHL ignore the warning bells? Many people have opinions on these questions. One thing is clear. It's appropriate for these former players who have been suffering through these permanent debilitating injuries to present their case to a jury."

The suit also alleges that the brain injuries can occur during legal body checking and also when players fight during games.

"The NHL's continued refusal to ban fighting and body checking, especially given the medical evidence regarding the high correlation between the rotational acceleration (impacts on the brain) present in such contacts … is a continuing fraudulent action against the Plaintiffs and other former NHL players," the suit says.

The suit also says the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been found in former hockey players Reggie Fleming, Rick Martin, Bob Probert and Derek Boogaard after their deaths. All but Martin were enforcers.

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St. Louis Blues captain David Backes returned on April 25 after missing two games. He had been knocked woozy on a charge by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook on April 19. Who else is dealing with head injuries:
Bill Boyce, AP

Flyers right wing Steve Downie is out indefinitely and the Philadelphia media report he is having concussion symptoms. He had missed eight games after colliding with St. Louis' Patrik Berglund on March 22 and suffered a concussion in a Nov. 1 fight, missing five games. Games missed as of April 25: Two.
Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Avalanche center John Mitchell (concussion) hasn't played since April 10. He's feeling better and is expected to start exercising soon, according to the Denver Post. Games missed as of April 25: Two regular-season and four playoff games.
Marc DesRosiers, USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens forward Travis Moen suffered a concussion during a March 24 fight with Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller. Games missed as of April 25: Nine regular season and four playoff games.
Charles Krupa, AP

Back in playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason hit his head on the ice on April 12 when Pittsburgh's Jayson Megna checked Flyers defenseman Andrew MacDonald into him. He returned on April 22 as a backup but was inserted in the game. He had missed one regular-season and two playoff games.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

Back in playoffs: St. Louis Blues right wing T.J. Oshie, who was hit in the head by Minnesota's Mike Rupp on April 10, returned on April 19 after missing two regular-season games and the playoff opener.
Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, left, suffered a concussion on April 6 when hit in the head by Philadelphia Flyers center Zac Rinaldo, right. He missed the final four games of the regular season.
Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports

New York Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky is dealing with his second concussion of the season, according to Newsday. He missed 47 games with the first one and the final 12 games of the season with the second one.
Bruce Fedyck, USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Andrew Alberts suffered a concussion when he was checked by Calgary Flames right wing Brian McGrattan. He missed the final 40 games of the season.
Sergei Belski, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mike Kostka, left, suffered a concussion when knocked out by a head hit from Montreal Canadiens defenseman Douglas Murray on April 1. Murray was suspended for three games. He returned on April 10 after missing three games.
Jeff Griffith, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Nashville Predators rookie defenseman Seth Jones had concussion symptoms after a hit from Chicago's Andrew Shaw in a March 23 game. He returned on April 5 after missing five games.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports

Back: New York Islanders right wing Michael Grabner suffered a concussion on March 10 in a collision with Vancouver's Chris Tanev. He returned on April 5 after missing nine games.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Paul Ranger was taken off the ice on a stretcher after being checked headfirst into the boards by Tampa Bay's Alex Killorn on March 19. He returned on April 3 after missing six games.
Frank Gunn, AP

Back: Recently acquired Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Erat was hurt when hit behind the net in a March 11 game against the Florida Panthers. He returned on March 20 after missing three games.
Carolyn Kaster, AP

Back: Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen returned from a concussion on March 18 after missing three games. He was hurt on a helmet-to-helmet hit from Minnesota's Erik Haula on March 8.
Richard W. Rodriguez, AP

Back: Boston Bruins left wing Daniel Paille suffered his second concussion of the season on March 9 vs. the Florida Panthers. He returned on March 15 after missing two games.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Calgary Flames forward Kevin Westgarth was knocked out in a fight with Edmonton Oilers forward Luke Gazdic on March 1. He returned on March 12 after missing five games.
Perry Nelson, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Detroit Red Wings winger Johan Franzen, originally hurt when Tampa Bay's Radko Gudas caught his chin on a check, missed 16 games, returned for one game, then had concussion symptoms again. He returned on Feb. 26 after missing five regular-season games and a chance to play for Sweden in the Olympics.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports

Back: New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic left a Jan. 11 game against the Dallas Stars and was placed on the injured list on Jan. 28. He returned on Feb. 8 after missing 12 games.
Jeff Curry, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon, who suffered a concussion in November 2012, has been sent to the AHL on a conditioning assignment. He missed all of last season and this season so far.
Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Montreal Canadiens tough guy George Parros suffered his second concussion of the season during this Dec. 14 fight with the New York Islanders' Eric Boulton. He returned on Jan. 11 after missing 10 games. He missed 12 games with his earlier concussion.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson suffered his second concussion of the season on a Dec. 7 hit from Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik. He went on IR on the 10th. He returned on Jan. 11 after missing 15 games.
Winslow Townson, AP

Back: Philadelphia Flyers left wing Michael Raffl suffered a concussion when being checked into the boards by Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog on Jan. 2. He returned on Jan. 7 after missing one game.
Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports

Back: New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal suffered a concussion on a shoulder-to-chin by New Jersey's Reid Boucher on Dec. 7. Staal, who missed 36 games in the 2011-12 season with a concussion, returned on Dec. 31 after missing 10 games.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader suffered a concussion after an illegal check to the head from Pittsburgh's Deryk Engelland (three-game suspension) on Dec. 14. He returned on Dec. 28 after missing five games.
Duane Burleson, AP

Back: Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund, who absorbed a high hit from Connor Murphy on Nov. 27, returned on Dec. 22 after missing 11 games. He banged his head three times in November, missing two games after the second incident.
James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports

Back: St. Louis Blues captain David Backes, who was wobbly leaving the ice after a Dec. 16 hit from Ottawa's Colin Greening, returned to action on Dec. 21 after missing two games.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

Back: Carolina Hurricanes forward Alexander Semin suffered a concussion on Nov. 16 on a hard but clean hit by St. Louis' Alex Pietrangelo. He returned on Dec. 12 after missing 12 games.
James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk was elbowed in the jaw by Ottawa's Jared Cowen on Nov. 23. He return on Dec. 10 after missing seven games and had a goal and assist.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom suffered a concussion when Toronto's Nazem Kadri bowled him over on Nov. 13. He returned on Nov. 23 after missing four games and made 37 saves to beat the Jets.
Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports

Back: New Jersey Devils defenseman Jon Merrill, making his NHL debut, suffered a head injury and facial lacerations on Nov. 3 on a hit by Minnesota Wild forward Torrey Mitchell. He was loaned to the Devils' AHL affiliate on Nov. 19 after missing six games.
Brace Hemmelgarn Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sport

Back: Steve Downie also returned on Nov. 12, getting an assist. He suffered a concussion on Nov. 1, in his first game with the Philadelphia Flyers, during a fight with Washington's Aaron Volpatti. He had missed five games.
Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Boston Bruins winger Loui Eriksson suffered a concussion on Oct. 23 on a head hit from Buffalo Sabres forward John Scott, who was suspended for seven games. He returned on Nov. 5 after missing five games.
Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY Sports

Back: San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle was knocked unconscious on this hit from behind from St. Louis' Maxim Lapierre, who was suspended for five games. His injury was never specified. He returned on Nov. 2 after missing seven games.
Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images

Back: Montreal Canadiens right wing George Parros was pulled face first into the ice when Toronto's Colton Orr stumbled while holding his jersey in an Oct. 1 fight. He returned on Nov. 1 after missing 12 games.
Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports

Back: Anaheim Ducks left wing Dustin Penner was knocked unconscious briefly when hit in the head on Oct. 20 by Dallas Stars forward Ryan Garbutt (five-game suspension). He returned on Oct. 31 after missing five games.
Mark J. Terrill, AP

Back: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall was slammed into the boards on Oct. 17 by Colorado's Cody McLeod, who was suspended for five games. Kronwall returned on Oct. 23 after missing two games.
Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla was taken off the ice on a stretcher after an Sept. 15 open-ice hit by Los Angeles' Jordan Nolan. He returned on Oct. 10 after missing three regular-season games.
Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports

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"Continuing to the present, the NHL has insisted that more data is needed before any scientifically proven link between repetitive traumatic head impact and later-in-life cognitive brain injury, including CTE and its related symptoms, can be established,'' says the suit.

The suit accuses the league of promoting violence, noting that NHL Films has "created numerous highlight features that focus solely on the hardest hits."

It also said that NHL-sponsored video games include fighting and "vicious" body checks.

"Video games also add virtual enforcers to their team rosters to ensure their players will not be intimidated by the simulated violent acts of the opposition."

It alleged the league "nurtured a culture of violence." The suit cites films such as Slap Shot, which the suit says "reflect this NHL-inspired culture.

"The public statements of Don Cherry (hockey broadcaster) and the use of highlights on such sites as www.hockeyfights.com and his video series Don Cherry's Rock 'em, Sock 'em Hockey are further examples of this violence-centered culture promoted by the NHL," the suit alleges.

Leeman, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues from 1983 through 1996. The suit says he sustained multiple concussions and sub-concussive impacts and now suffers from post traumatic head syndrome, headaches, memory loss and dizziness.

The plaintiffs also include Curt Bennett, who played in the NHL from 1970 to 1980 with the Blues, New York Rangers and Atlanta Flames. The suit says he suffers from headaches, visual problems, ringing in the ears, light-headedness, memory loss, hearing loss and cognitive deficit.

"We were kept in the dark about the risks of concussions. … Hopefully, this suit will shine a light on the problems and the players will get the help they deserve," said Vaive, who played for four NHL teams from 1979-92 and says he has headaches, ringing ears, lightheadedness, depression and memory loss.